The event, which took place from July 15 to 16 at the Pro Magno Event Center in São Paulo/SP, gathers over 150 exhibitors and is expected to receive over 8,000 buyers and industry professionals, a record visitation.

At the official opening of the event, Gerson Berwanger, president of the Brazilian Association of Companies of Components for Leather, Footwear and Artifacts (Assintecal), thanked the partners who make the exhibition possible, especially the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil), Sebrae Nacional, the Center for Tanning Industries of Brazil (CICB), the Brazilian Association of Textile and Apparel Industry (Abit), and the Brazilian Association of Furniture Industries (Abimóvel). “I emphasize here the importance of our return to our origins, with INSPIRAMAIS now also taking place in São Paulo for its July edition. The choice of São Paulo was due to it being Brazil’s business hub and also to bring us closer to all important Brazilian poles. And since the event addresses fashion, we know that São Paulo houses a very important center of references and inspirations for product development,” said the executive, highlighting that, in the city, INSPIRAMAIS expands its scope and emphasizes the transversality of the materials presented, with applications ranging from the fashion industry to pet products and automotive upholstery.

Following this, Assintecal’s superintendent, Silvana Dilly, highlighted some important numbers of the exhibition, which hosts another edition of the Buyer Project, carried out in partnership with ApexBrasil, and caravans from some of Brazil’s main footwear hubs, with the fundamental participation of the footwear industry unions of Franca, Birigui, Jaú, Nova Serrana, and Maringá. “With the support of these partners alone, we brought over 310 buyers to the show,” she stated. Through the Buyer Project, 35 international groups from Latin America and Portugal were brought in.

Global Scenario

Silvana spoke about global instability and INSPIRAMAIS’s role as a business-generating product for the fashion production chain. “We know that the global scenario is dynamic and complex, with constantly reconfiguring challenges and opportunities. In an international panorama in constant evolution, it is fundamental to be attentive and adaptable. And it is precisely in this context that INSPIRAMAIS stands out as a concrete example of how cooperation and international integration can generate positive and tangible results,” said the superintendent, adding that the exhibition is “living proof” that, through dialogue, exchange of ideas, and collaboration, it is possible to build bridges and strengthen ties that drive the development of the entire sector.

Committed Hope

Walter Rodrigues, stylist and coordinator of Assintecal’s Design and Research Nucleus, emphasized the event’s importance for national fashion. “At INSPIRAMAIS, we know, two years in advance, what will be in stores. Our research, Human, which gave rise to the launches presented here, shows that we are living in a time of committed hope, unlike the previous collection, Burnout,” he explained. According to him, the fashion launched by INSPIRAMAIS reflects the strength of the human being, who with the aid of Artificial Intelligence tools, can produce more and better in line with the feeling of a consumer increasingly tired of “industry repetitions and ideas.”

The opening of INSPIRAMAIS also saw the presence of representatives from CICB and Abit.

Origem Sustentável Certifications

The opening ceremony also marked the certification of five companies in Origem Sustentável, the world’s only ESG practices accreditation program focused on the footwear production chain. Created by Assintecal in partnership with the Brazilian Association of Footwear Industries (Abicalçados) in 2013, Origem Sustentável is based on the best international sustainability practices, following the guideline of 104 indicators distributed across five dimensions: economic, environmental, social, cultural, and sustainability management. The certified categories are: Diamond (+80% of indicators achieved); Gold (+60%); Silver (+40%); and Bronze (+20%).

On this occasion, Cipatex (Diamond), Fibrart (Silver), Jotaclass (Silver), ITM (Silver), and Passalacqua (Silver) were certified.

The Exhibition

INSPIRAMAIS is organized by Assintecal in partnership with CICB, Abit, and Abimóvel. The event is produced by Brazilian Materials and partnered with Sebrae Nacional. More information and accreditation are available on the website www.inspiramais.com.br.

Event Highlights:

• More than a thousand materials launched in accordance with the Human research, coordinated by the renowned stylist Walter Rodrigues, coordinator of the Assintecal Design and Research Nucleus.
• Over 150 exhibiting companies, with innovative and sustainable materials that supply the footwear, apparel, furniture, automotive upholstery, pet industries, and more.
• Expected attendance of over 8,000 national and international buyers, entrepreneurs, and industry professionals.
• 35 confirmed international groups from Argentina, Colombia, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico, Peru, and Portugal.
• 10 lectures with renowned professionals from the fashion industry.